FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

In the Matter of a Complaint by FINAL DECISION

Mary E. Dixon,

Complainant

against Docket #FIC 89-461

Republican Members of the Tolland Board of Education,

Respondent May 9, 1990

The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on April 9, 1990, at which time the complainant and the respondent appeared, stipulated to certain facts and presented testimony and argument on the complaint.

After consideration of the entire record, the following facts are found and conclusions of law are reached:

1. The respondent is a public agency within the meaning of 1-18a(a), G.S.

2. By letter filed with this Commission on December 15, 1989, the complainant alleged that on or about November 27, 1989, the respondent conducted an unnoticed meeting, which meeting was not a caucus within the meaning of 1-18a(b), G.S.

3. It is found that the respondent did not meet or caucus on November 27, 1989.

4. It is found, however, that the respondent did gather at the home of the Board of Education chairwoman, a republican, on or about November 24, 1989.

5. The complainant alleged that individuals were present at the gathering identified in paragraph 4, above, who were not members of both the Tolland board of education and the republican party.

6. It is found, however, that only republican members of the Tolland board of education were present at this gathering.

7. It is concluded that the gathering identified in paragraph 4, above, was a caucus within the meaning of 1-18a(b), G.S.

8. It is concluded that the complaint fails to state a

Docket #FIC 89-461 Page 2

claim for which relief may be granted under the Freedom of Information Act.

The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint:

1. The complaint is hereby dismissed.

Approved by order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its regular meeting of May 9, 1990.

Tina C. Frappier

Acting Clerk of the Commission

Docket #FIC 89-461 Page 3

PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-180(c), G.S. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE NAMES OF EACH PARTY AND THE MOST RECENT MAILING ADDRESS, PROVIDED TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION, OF THE PARTIES OR THEIR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.

THE PARTIES TO THIS CONTESTED CASE ARE:

MARY E. DIXON

83 Robin Circle

Tolland, CT 06084

REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE TOLLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION

c/o Richard S. Conti, Esquire

Garrity, Diana, Conti & Houck

1091 Main Street

Manchester, CT 06040

Tina C. Frappier

Acting Clerk of the Commission